By Eat Local / June 02, 2026
One of Bloomington-Normal’s most beloved bakeries has some big news.
Janet’s Cakes & Catering recently shared that they are looking for the right person to carry on the bakery’s sweet legacy after 38 years. The good news is they’re staying open and operating as usual while that search is underway.
If you don’t know the story, it’s a good one. Janet Kletz started baking cakes from her home in the late 1970s, just a mom who loved to bake and had a real talent for it. Word got around, and for about a decade she built a loyal following right out of her kitchen.
In 1988, at 44 years old, she took the leap and opened a storefront at 906 W. Market St. Business was so good that they doubled the building’s size just eight years later.
In 2006, the bakery settled into its current home at 504 Guido Circle. Janet passed away in May 2011, but her daughter, Cindy Grethey, has kept everything that made the shop special: the recipes, the quality, the care. In 2019 they added a big refrigerated display case, and it’s hard to walk past it without grabbing something.
Chances are, if you’ve been to a birthday party, wedding, or get-together in Bloomington-Normal over the last few decades, you’ve already had a taste of what makes this place so special. Janet’s Cakes has been a quiet constant at some of our community’s most memorable moments for a long time.
Wedding cakes, dessert bars, cookies, cake squares…if it’s sweet and beautiful, chances are Janet’s Cakes has it covered.
If you’ve never been, now’s a great time to go show them some love. And if you or someone you know might be the right person to take this legacy forward, Janet’s Cakes is welcoming serious inquiries about purchasing the business. What a special thing it would be to carry something like this on.
Looking for a sweet treat this week? Head over to 504 Guido Circle in Bloomington and pay a visit to Janet’s Cakes. You might just discover your new favorite dessert while supporting a beloved local bakery.
